The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS in the light of the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease, has reaffirmed its solidarity with member states and continues to support them in the fight against the pandemic.
In a statement signed by the president of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, he said that the community in a bid to assist its member states in monitoring and preventing the spread of the coronavirus has made some financial support available from its funds, in addition, to support from other international partners, for the procurement of medical supplies and equipment needed for the fight against the pandemic.
He says the West African Health Organization, WAHO has also purchased and dispatched to the 15 Member States, some 30, 500 diagnostic test kits, 10, 000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) comprising overalls, aprons, gowns, gloves, goggles, boots and 740, 000 prescription tablets (Chloroquine and Azithromycin).
He also revealed that orders have been placed to acquire for the Member States, some 240,000 diagnostic kits, 240,000 extraction kits, 250,000 viral sample transport equipment, 285,100 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 268,1000 masks for medical personnel (facemasks, surgical masks, full facemasks), 120 ventilators, several thousand litres of alcohol gel and disinfectants.
WAHO says it is also working in close collaboration with the specialised services in Member states, to deploy personnel and epidemiological surveillance and data collection tools, strengthen the capacity of reference laboratories and train technical personnel.
He assured continued support to all member states in the fight against the deadly viral disease.